Person-Centered Support: Tailoring to Individual Needs
Ramps and wider doorways are crucial for accessibility, ensuring people with physical limitations can participate. However, a person-centered approach goes deeper. It acknowledges the diverse stories, challenges, and strengths of every individual, whether they have visible differences or not.
Tailoring the Journey: Exploring Variations in Person-Centered Practices
Strengths-based
A strengths-based approach focuses on what people excel at. Instead of dwelling on weaknesses, it emphasizes identifying and amplifying existing strengths. Remember that a person's greatest weakness can often be the flip side of their greatest strength. For instance, empathy can lead to sensitivity, and assertiveness can sometimes be perceived as brashness. Examples of strengths-based approaches:
Rewarding positive behaviors, rather than emphasizing negative ones.
Identifying a person’s unique abilities and tailoring opportunities that develop those strengths.
Exploring a person's internal motivations for change and identifying their strengths to overcome challenges.
Recognizing and appreciating people’s unique contributions.
Culturally-informed
A culturally informed approach ensures services and support are sensitive to diverse backgrounds and identities. For example, a community center offering parenting workshops might consider translating materials into multiple languages or adapting them to reflect different cultural values. This ensures everyone feels welcome and can access the support they need. Examples of a culturally-informed approach:
Developing an understanding of the cultures and subcultures of the individuals or communities around you, including their values, beliefs, customs, and communication styles.
Be aware of nonverbal cues, language nuances, and cultural differences in communication styles.
Avoiding generalizations about people based on their cultural background.
Involving community members in the planning and implementation of programs and services.
Resiliency-based
A resiliency-based approach equips individuals with tools to navigate challenges and build inner strength. Examples of resiliency-based approaches:
Providing opportunities to develop skills in self-awareness, self-management, emotional regulation social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Identifying and building on peoples' strengths and resources to promote resilience.
Trauma-informed
A trauma-informed approach recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals' thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. It prioritizes creating safe spaces for healing. Examples of trauma-informed approaches:
Using calm, empathetic, and non-judgmental language.
Implementing a strengths-based approach and minimizing punitive measures.
Utilizing physically open spaces and avoiding confined spaces.
Implementing passive education such as posters in various areas of the school or office environment about helplines and resources.
Recovery-oriented
A recovery-oriented approach integrates various elements, including strengths-based practices, cultural competence, trauma-informed care, and resilience building. It encourages self-direction, autonomy, and personal growth with the collaboration of supportive peers and professionals. It thrives on a sense of belonging despite failures and successes. Examples of recovery-oriented approaches:
Connecting to peer support programs, and others who have lived experience with mental health conditions.
Developing the skills and abilities needed for independent living, such as social skills, problem-solving, and self-management.
Promoting community-based services to individuals with severe mental illness, emphasizing recovery, social inclusion, and personal choice.
Remember
We can create a world that celebrates differences, empowers individuals, and fosters a sense of belonging for all. Let's move beyond generic solutions and build bridges that connect with the unique needs of every person.
